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| Mission to Seafarers |
2006 is The Mission to Seafarers' 150th anniversary, having been founded in 1856 as The Missions to Seamen.
At that time, seafarers lived harsh, lonely and isolated lives.
Ships and ports may have changed considerably since the early days of the Mission, but despite all the innovations and developments, life at sea can still be beset by dangers and difficulties.
Seafarers still lose their lives in shipping casualties, piracy is a major problem in some parts of the world and chaplains continue to report cases of non-payment of wages, stranded and abandoned crews and problems relating to safety and living conditions.
This is in addition to the traditional difficulties that seafarers have always faced such as long periods away from their homes and families, and isolation from amenities ashore that the rest of us can take for granted.
Today, they are at work in over 230 ports worldwide caring for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all races and creeds, visiting them on their ships, offering them a welcome, helping them to keep in touch with their families, visiting them in hospital, and taking up justice and welfare issues on their behalf.
In over 100 ports they also run centres where seafarers can relax away from their ships and find a welcome, friendship and help with any problems.
THERE IS a strong presence of the Mission to Seafarers in Southampton, and the 150th Anniversary of the Society will be celebrated at St Mary’s Church, City Centre, on Sunday, October 22nd, at 3.00p.m. All are welcome to attend the service, celebrate the 150th Anniversary, and pray for the continuing work of the Society here and throughout the world. |
